Tank construction



C. G. PFEIFFER TANK CONSTRUCTION oct. s, 1942.

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filedy Feb 25.. 1941 l INVENToR.-

maries atfyeWez;

- ATTORNEYS'.

` QSZS@ Oct. 6, 1942. c. G. PFEIFFER 2,297,840

TANK CON S TRUCT ION Filed Feb. 25, 1941 s sheets-sheet 2 INVENToR.- 1:96. Wei/fer,

ATTORNEYS.

Cet. 6, 1942. C, G, PAFEIFFER 2,297,840

TANK CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 25. 1941 3 sheets-sheet s FIG- E 2522/ {"1 v2 zy Jl 20 W I TNESSES: N VEN TOR.'

W/w' 55 @ma We ATTORNEYS.

Patented Oct. 6, 15942 iUNITED STATES iiraTEflltl OFFICEY 7 Claims.

' This invention has reference in its broader aspectto storage receptacles and, more particularly, relates to tank construction of the multicompartment type designed for vehicles used in transporting liquids, such as gasoline and oils for example.

Vehicle tanks of the referred to species are generally of cylindrical formation, or elliptical cross-section, with the major axis horizontal, and divided transversely by spaced partitions to set apart the desired compartments, each of which is provided with an individual filler opening and a suitable discharge.

` The primary object of this invention is to provide a tank of substantially octagonal cross-section with reinforcingl depressed sections also effective as spill or overflow collectors andalso serviceable to prevent unnecessary wastage of the liquid.

Another object is to furnish avehicle tank for transporting liquids including a rigid tubular tie or brace intermediate spaced components of the tank, said brace also serving as an inlet and discharge connection as well as an eiTective baille against splash during the lling operation.

A further object is to provide a multi-com- "partment tank of the above designated species composed of pre-formed plates, which are expeditiously assembled and united with a minimum expenditure 'of time and labor.

Other objects with ancillary advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed explanation of the preferred embodi- 'fment thereof, shown by the accompanying sheets of illustrative drawings, wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in all the views; while the concluding claims more par- `ticularly recite the features of novelty over the prior art.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevation of a liquid transporting and delivering vehicle including a multi-compartment tank constructed in accordance with the instant invention.

approximately as indicated by the angled arrows and associated dot-and-dash lines IV--IV in Fig. l.

Fig. is a longitudinal vertical section taken 'approximately as designated by the angled ar- "rows V-V in Figs. 2 and 4; and,

Fig. 6 is a relatively` larger scale detail section on the` plane VI-l-VI in the preceding gure.

In describing the practical embodiment of this invention exemplified in the three sheets of drawings herewith, specic terms will be employed for the sake of clarity, but it is to be understoodthe scope of said invention 'is'not thereby limited; each such term being intended to embrace all reasonable equivalents which perform the same function for an analogous purpose.

Referring more in detail to the' drawings, and as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, there is depicted a conventional tank vehicle including the tractive means designated generally by the reference character I, wheels 2 and body frame or chassis 3, the latter affording rigid'support forthe im- .proved tank 4 of this invention; said tank being subdivided by partitions 5 into consecutive compartments 6, and having at the rear end a utility section 'I for housing the Valves 8, hose reel 9 and meter I 0, all indicated by broken lines in Fig. l only, as Well as an access opening II, Fig. 2; said items forming no part of the present improvements.

The improved tankl 4, of this invention, as shown to best advantage in Figs. 3 6, inclusive, preferably comprises top and bottom rectangularly contoured plates I2, I3 with vertical anking flanges I4, and somewhat channel-'like side plates I5, I6 shaped to each embody ,opposingly inclined longitudinally extending relatively obtuse-angled portions I1, I8 with an intervening vertical section I9 and in addition thereto coextensive matching flanges 20 paralleling said vertical section for abutment against the llanges I4 aforesaid. The respective plates I2.,.I3 and I5, I6 are appropriately clamped together and lletwelded together at 2I to form the shell of the tank 4, while the respective matching flanges I4, 20 are spot or plug welded together at intervals of their length for strengthening purposes, as conventionally indicated at 22 in Fig. 3.

The shell of the tank 4, formedfas just described, is tted with end walls 23, Vas well as the partition walls 5, at spaced intervals, which dene the consecutive compartments 6, each said wall 23 and V5 being appropriately. shaped substantially octagonal in contour, to snugly engage in said shell, and with a surrounding flange 25. The end and partition walls 23, 5 are permanently secured in lace by circumscribing fillet Welds 26 around the' ange edges, as clearly understandable on examination of Figs. 4 6, more particularly.

The respective topV and bottom plates I2, 'I3 intermediate the partitions 5 are outwardly depressed or bellied to slight frusto-pyramidal shape, designated 21, with a central orifice28 for passage of a vertical tube29Y serviceableV for filling and discharge purposes, as well :as affordf ing a rigid tie or strut intermediate-said topand bottom plates. Each `tube 29 is preferably rolled from a sheet metal blank with the abutting edges seam welded at 39, and said tube is provided with opposed staggeringly related holes 3i intermediate the ends, and semi-circular holes SI for 1ocation adjoining the bottom plate I3 for purposes later on explained. Each tube 29, it will be seen, snugly Vfits the bottom orifice 2S with projection outwards, see Fig. 6 to best advantage, and it is united to the bottom plate I3 by a surrounding llet weld 32; while into the lower end of said tube is secured a suitable discharge connection 33. At the upper end the tube 29 i'lts snugly within a conventional filler ntting 34 secured in the top plate opening 23 by a surrounding fillet weld 35, whereas said tube is rigidly united to the fitting 34 by an annular seam weld 36 for preventing any telescopic action therebetween.

At the front end of the tank 4 intermediate the flanges I4 there is secured by a weld 3l an angle strip 48 effective to prevent drainage over the edge of the tank thereat; and, incidentally it is to be noted that the frusto-pyramidal parts 21 shed any spill at the filler ttings 34 and cause it to drain outwards toward the longitudinal gutters defined along the top plate I2 by the flanges I4, whereas the complemental depressions 21 in the bottom plate enable proper drainage through the apertures 9i rom the individual compartments 9 when being emptied; while all of the parts 2l substantially stiifen or rigidify the respectively associated plates I2, i3. The top plate I2, it will also be remarked, provides a serviceable foot-walk for access to the fillers 34;v

and free drainage from the gutters adjoining the flanges I4 is effected by vertical waste pipes 38 appropriately fitted in each corner of the tank 4 at both the front and rear thereof.

The tank 4, shaped and assembled as before described, is conveniently fitted with upper and lower cover skirtings 39, G9, the former of which consists of a plate shaped to angle cross-section, as best shown in Fig. 3, said plate being provided with a longitudinal nange 4I for abutment against the inner face of the top plate flange I4 and securement thereto by internal plug welds 42, as indicated in Fig. 6, in an obvious manner. The opposing longitudinal or vertical portion of the plate 39 is formed with an inward angling 43 for seating on the confronting side portion of the inclined part Il and seourement by a seam weld 44. The lower skirt plate 4S is provided with an inwardly angled edge portion d5 and it is permanently attached to the confronting inclined part I 8, of the tank side plates 9, by a seam weld 46, while both of the welds 24, 4G are preferably closed-in by suitable bead strip 4l. Thus it will be apparent there is provided, by this invention, a tank body of smooth straight lines and curved corners, ywhile it will be readily apparent that by rearwardly extending the plates 39, 49 they may be utilized for forming the walls of the tank utility section 1. The tank 4 is conveniently mounted on the vehicle chassis 3 by means of longitudinal stringers 24, Cross-bearers 49, and transverse supports 59 between the lower anges I4, 29, as well as iianged side gussets 5I intermediate the inclined tank portions i6 and said cross-bearers.

The tank 4 may also be constructed to cornprise but a single compartment 9 fitted with one or more of the tie tubes 29; or it may be formed to include right and left-hand compartments by addition of longitudinal partitions located where desired along the tank: also it will be selfevident that a suitable ller piece, Fig. 5, is employed at the rear end of the tank for a corresponding purpose to the front angle strip 43.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A tank structure for liquid transporting vehicles comprising opposed plane surfaced plate components each having a pair of longitudinal edge anges; opposed complementally channeled plate components each including opposedly inclined obtuse angled portions having co-planar edge anges; said plate components when assembled with their respective flanges in matching planar abutment forming a body shell of substantially octagonal cross-section; peripherally fianged correspondingly octagonal end components engaged within the body shell; a tube having projection through the plane surfaced plates staggeringly related holes for filling and discharge purposes; and seam welds securing all of the several components aforesaid into a unii'led structure.

2. A tank structure comprising opposed top and bottom plates respectively having longitudinal edges anges; a pair of complementally channeled side plates with co-planar edge flanges for engagement against the first mentioned flanges, and all said plates when assembled with their respective flanges in matching relation defining a body shell of octagonal cross-section; peripherally anged end and spaced partition plates in the body shell deiining individual compartments; a vertical tube rigidly secured within each compartment and having end projection outward of the body shell, said tube having staggeringly related holes and serving also for filling and discharge purposes; and welds securing all of the parts aforesaid into a unified structure.

3. The combination of claim 2, wherein the top and bottom plate portions intervening the end and partition plates are depressed, and associated waste pipes are provided at each end of the tank for drainage purposes.

4. The combination of claim 2, wherein the top and bottom plate portions intervening the end and partition plates are outwardly depressed to frusto-pyramidal form with central apertures, the respective body shell plate iianges are all outwardly directed, transverse strips intervene the nanges of the top plate at the front and rear ends of the tank, and vertical down pipes are located at the respective angular corners defined by the flanges aforesaid and transverse strips.

5. The combination of claim 2, wherein each vertical filler-discharge tube consists of a rolled plate having the abutting edges seam welded, and said tube has spaced staggeringly related opposing holes in its wall with the lower ones of semicircular form for proper emptying of the associated compartment.

6. The combination of claim 2, wherein each side plate embodies a vertically-disposable web section having outwardly directed obtuse angled co-extensive portions, and said portions have their longitudinal edges flanged into a plane paralleling the web section. I

'7. A tank structure in accordance with claim 2, further characterized by co-extending side skifrting elements, one of said elements being of angular section to overlie and close in the associated upper portion of the body shell, and the other of said elements flanks the corresponding lower portion of said shell.

CHARLES G. PFEIFFER. 

